Kia K5 Complaints

508 consumer complaints on file.

#11715086February 2, 2026
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, SEATS
On 10/20/25 as a rideshare driver one of my riders told me that the right side back seat was lifting. I could not believe what the rider was telling me until one of my family members told me the same thing. I immediately for safety reasons parked the car and started searching about any problems with the gas tank, for my surprise there was a serious safety problem in the car where the gas tank was expanding. The car could have got on fire and exploited putting my family, riders and myself at the risk of death. This was reported to Kia Customer Care on 10/20/2025, case # XXX, and later was complemented with the Kia Customer Care case # XXX. On 11/11/25 Kia America recognized that the car was unrepairable and offered a buyback process which was accepted by me on 11/12/25. It has passed 105 days since the car was parked and not used for ridesharing, my main source of income. During this 105 days Kia Finance America has been demanding payments from me, they have not stopped the billing despite my several request. Kia offered me rent a car through Enterprise which does not allow to do ridesharing with their cars, and also car rental reimbursement which I cannot afford. As of today, my lost income has achieved the amount of $ 33,036.77; this was warned to Kia America since the beginning of the process. Kia America has been very a bureaucratic company, and the buyback process has not been finished due to the lack of check from Kia America to the company Morley. All I want is to finish the buyback process because it is giving me a very bad psychological and economic hardship times. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11714570January 30, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
The car was in an accident with the previous owner I bout the car and the carfax showed rear end collision I told the car worked perfectly. After purchase the car brakes have built up 2 times in 5 months the car stalled it has rpm issues lagging and hesitation as well as the safety front end collision has malfunctioned and it locked my brakes up I did all the steps to try to fix it and I ended up having to disconnect the battery. I sent it to the dealer and they said it was fine I now see the carfax as showing front end collision was reported and has been in the shop multiple times for the hesitation and stalling issue which now that my blue certificated warranty is out they found the issue (pcv valve etc) I’ve asked for a remedy with the dealer and they won’t budge this car is a safety liability.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11714430January 30, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
The contact owns a 2023 Kia K5. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 5 MPH and approaching a stop sign exiting a parking lot, as the contact depressed the brake pedal to stop for a commercial truck stopped at the exit, the "collision warning" illuminated. The contact stated that the brake pedal went soft and depressed to the floorboard. The contact stated that he crashed into the rear of the truck. The contact stated that there was a slight dent in the metal frame of the truck. The contact stated that his vehicle's front grill and both headlight housings were crushed. The contact stated that the hood was crumpled back towards the windshield, and the radiator was punctured and crushed. The contact stated that the police were called and filed a report. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot. The contact had called his insurance provider. The contact stated that he was later driven to the ER by a friend due to neck pain and headaches. The contact stated that he was diagnosed with neck strain and no other injuries. The vehicle had not yet been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 27,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11713571January 27, 2026
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I brought my car in for the recall regarding the faulty check valve in the fuel tank. My check engine light had also just come on. I have a 2021 Kia K5 with 60,000 miles and the dealership tells me I have to replace all 4 fuel injectors since it's causing a "system too lean" message.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11713381January 26, 2026
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, SEATS, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
serious safety-related defects in my 2023 Kia K5 involving the fuel/emissions system &other vehicle components. From early ownership & throughout the lease period, the vehicle experienced repeated& unresolved issues including fuel system abnormalities, emissions failures, fuel odors, check engine light activation, abnormal noises, &performance concerns consistent with fuel pressure or fuel tank-related problems. I reported these issues multiple times to the dealership &to Kia Consumer Affairs beginning well within the first 24 months of the lease, continuing for over a year. Despite repeated complaints and service visits, the vehicle was repeatedly returned to me- deemed safe to drive, my concerns were ignored. In June 2024, the dealership identified fuel tank expansion, confirming the same safety concerns I had been reporting. In November 2025, Kia issued Safety Recall SC356 (NHTSA Recall No. 25V794), stating that a damaged check valve can allow air to enter the fuel tank, causing expansion, contact with hot exhaust components, melting, and increased fire risk. My vehicle is included in this recall, which remains incomplete, &I was never notified while the defects were actively occurring. Prior to the recall and before the fuel tank expansion was diagnosed, I paid significant out-of-pocket costs in March and April 2024 for emissions-related repairs based on representations that the vehicle was safe to drive. This vehicle was intended as a graduation gift for a minor, & minors in my household regularly operated it. Kia’s continued assurances that the vehicle was safe, despite known and reported defects, placed my family, especially minors, at serious risk of injury or death. In addition to fuel/emissions issues, the vehicle had persistent seat defects and other unresolved problems that were never fully repaired. The manufacturer ultimately acknowledged the vehicle is irreparable. The recall confirms the safety concerns.I raised were valid and serious.in shop 600days
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11712498January 21, 2026
STRUCTURE:BODY
Front driver side bottom bumper has unclipped randomly. I’ve spoken to a group with other 2023 Kia K5 GT-Line owners and at minimum 30 others have had the same exact clip from the bumper randomly detach. This could cause a hazard for other drivers if the bumper were to detach and possibly hang while driving at a high speed on the freeway.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11712308January 21, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Blower motor stops working for a bit with no ac or heat
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11711976January 19, 2026
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS, ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My 2022 Kia k5 has gone into limp mode multiple times now while I am driving in addition to when it starts up. Check engine light, AUTOHOLD, EPB, traction control, etc. all aluminate on my dashboard. Car drives very rough and doesn’t want to accelerate or shift. Huge safety issue. Dealership said it was the throttle body assembly. Paid to have it replaced and the issues still persists. I have read multiple other comments with the same issue and dealerships have no idea what the issue is or how to correctly diagnose. Error codes were P00BD00, C136081, and C174181.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11711862January 19, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My vehicle is 3 months old with only 3300 miles on it at the time this happened. I was driving on the interstate near on Saturday, January 17th, 2026. It was reasonably cold outside, and of course I had the heater on set to 70. My panoramic moonroof glass was closed, but the shade was open. My glass randomly exploded outward leaving a major hole in the glass. Glass shattered and sprinkled inside the vehicle while I was driving. After pulling over to identify what happened, I realized that the moonroof exploded outward from the vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11711403January 16, 2026
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
The contact owns a 2021 Kia K5. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact heard a loud explosion coming from the rear of the vehicle, and there was a dragging sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that the rear seat raised up into the air with children seated in the seat. The contact became aware of fuel leaking and that the fuel tank was hanging down. The vehicle was towed to the residence and was later driven to a KIA dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 116,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11711208January 15, 2026
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I am submitting this complaint regarding a serious fuel system defect involving my 2023 Kia GT-Line. The vehicle was subject to a manufacturer recall due to fuel tank expansion. Kia has acknowledged that the fuel tank expands beyond normal specifications, creating a potential safety hazard. As a result of this defect, Kia of America determined that the vehicle is not repairable and declared it a total loss. Kia has offered to buy back the vehicle and forgive the remaining loan balance, which confirms that the manufacturer considers the defect serious and unresolvable. A fuel tank expansion defect presents a significant safety concern, including the risk of fuel leaks, fuel system failure, inaccurate fuel readings, and potential fire hazards. This defect occurred under normal vehicle use and was not caused by misuse or modification. I am concerned that this defect affects other vehicles of the same model and year and may pose a broader public safety risk. I am submitting this complaint so NHTSA is aware of the issue and can evaluate whether further investigation or action is warranted. Kia’s determination that the vehicle is a total loss due to a fuel system defect indicates that this is a serious safety-related issue rather than a minor inconvenience.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11710833January 14, 2026
SEATS
The driver's seat heater automatically deactivates after 30 seconds. The heating element remains active for only 20 seconds, and unfortunately, the console with the wireless phone charging station is not functioning.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11710809January 13, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
While driving in the dark this morning with my eight year old in the backseat, my headlights shut off, my entire dash including my speedometer, warning lights, radio, heat, heated seat and steering wheel, lost electricity.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11710200January 11, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I am submitting this complaint regarding a confirmed safety recall on my 2022 Kia K5 LX that has not been repaired and currently has no available remedy, despite being acknowledged by Kia. This unresolved recall places me, my passengers, and other motorists at ongoing risk. I rely on this vehicle for daily transportation, and continuing to operate it under these conditions creates a constant safety concern that is beyond my control. I have been informed that the recall exists, yet there has been no corrective action, repair timeline, or interim safety solution provided. Leaving consumers in possession of a known defective vehicle without a remedy is unacceptable, especially when the issue involves safety-related components. I am requesting that the NHTSA: •Review Kia’s handling of this recall •Require timely corrective action or an interim safety solution •Ensure accountability so affected drivers are not left operating unsafe vehicles indefinitely I am deeply concerned about the lack of urgency and transparency surrounding this issue. A confirmed safety recall without a remedy is not a minor inconvenience; it is a serious hazard. Thank you for your attention to this matter. I am available to provide additional documentation if needed.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11710146January 10, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The ac and or heat goes out and I have to press the fuse under the hood and it comes back on other Kia k5 owners have had the same problem was told to report here for recall so fuse box doesn’t get burned out.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11709209January 6, 2026
STRUCTURE:BODY
•Back/Rear Windshield Trim Partial Detachment: unknown if available for inspection. •Large rear window trim piece might fall off, posing a road hazard. •Unknown if problem has been reproduced or confirmed • Unknown if component has been revised by anyone •No warning lights needed for this component
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11708902January 5, 2026
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
The contact owns a 2023 Kia K5. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V794000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11708605January 3, 2026
ENGINE, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
The drive train car would not go then my accelerator will rev up and down and not go over 10 miles a hour then all these service lights come on and car go in like limp mode and not drive in middle of intersection no one inspected the car i tuned it off and let it sit for 24 hours and started it and it was normally except the acceleration goes up and down when it wants to there were a lot of warning lights
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11708479January 3, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, STRUCTURE:BODY
Water intrusion from A/C system Mold growth inside cabin Health effects Vehicle returned unrepaired / unsafe
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11707714December 30, 2025
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
The contact owns a 2024 Kia K5. The contact received the recall notice of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V794000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The contact was concerned that the vehicle might catch fire while driving. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that the parts to do the recall repair were not available. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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